[GregariousJB]

I often approach our current system of using a Forum for issue tracking needs with disdain, feeling that many of our player's posts go unnoticed and forgotten beneath the ever-growing mountain of threads.

For this reason, it is my sincerest interest to be as in-touch with the needs of our players as possible, as there is nothing else that makes sense. You are happy = You play here = We are happy. However, from this simple equation is often the most difficult definition - what makes you happy?

It is fairly common knowledge that the biggest problem for private servers is the ever-present curse of bugs. Quest bugs, spell bugs, talent bugs, boss bugs, loot bugs... and the list goes on. While we have been successful at attempts to circumvent or fix many issues, still they come. So, I have a question.

If we were to use Google Code Issue Tracker to filter in all issues and suggestions, do you think this would be a better route to go instead of using our own built-in forums? Would this, in effect, make you happy?

Here is a short list of pros and cons to make things a little more clear to everyone:
Pros:

• Easier to search for existing issues (it's Google, after all).
• Easier to search = less duplicate threads.
• Less duplicate threads = easier to manage/merge/close/etc for our own staff.
• Players are able to "Star" issues to do two things: A) Instantly notify them via Gmail of any updates/changes/fixes for that issue, and B) The more stars an issue has, the more we know what is most important to our players (with not only issues, but suggestions).
• Each Issue entry can allow players to choose a template that neatly organizes and customizes the output of all types of issues: Items, Quests, Talents, Suggestions, etc. These templates will ask straight-forward questions that pertain specifically to that type of issue. The above link to the Google Code Issue Tracker is merely an example. In our system, choosing the "Quest" template will ask the user for Character name, Realm name, "What steps will reproduce the problem?", etc, while the "Suggestion" template is obviously more open-ended.

Cons:

• Users will need a Google account (though many of you already do).
• Slight learning curve for people who haven't used it before.
• Additional, 3rd-party software means 2x the administration and access permission needs for Staff members on 2 different systems - Forums and Google Code.
• Training new Staff members on how to administer the system might take some time.

If you would be so kind, please vote on this question using the poll to the right, then add your opinions on the matter in the comments.

Thank you.